attempt

UK /əˈtempt/ US /əˈtempt/ Syllables: at-tempt

Pronunciation

Verb B1 Intermediate Formal

To try to do something, especially something difficult.

To attempt is to try to do something, especially something difficult. You attempt a hard exam question, a mountain climb, or a new recipe, and you may or may not succeed. Attempt is a little more formal than try, and it often suggests the result is uncertain. As a noun, an attempt is a try: "It was my third attempt."

"She attempted the highest dive for the first time at the competition."

Meanings

To try to do something, especially something difficult.
To try to achieve or complete something.

Example sentences

"He attempted to climb the mountain in winter."

Level B1, Meaning 1
"She made three attempts to pass the driving test."

Level B1, Meaning 1
"Do not attempt to fix the machine yourself."

Level B2, Meaning 1
"The first attempt failed, but the second one worked."

Level B1, Meaning 1

Synonyms and antonyms

Synonyms

try

Look-alikes and common mistakes

try : Try is the everyday word. Attempt is more formal and often points to something hard or officially recorded.

Word family and forms

Forms: attempts, attempted, attempting

attempt attempted unattempted

Word partners

Words and phrases that often go with "attempt".

attempt to escape
make an attempt
a failed attempt
first attempt
attempt a climb
in an attempt to

Origin

Attempt comes through Old French atempter from Latin attemptare, which meant to try or to test. It is built from ad, to, and temptare, to test, which also gave us the word tempt.

Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Dictionary.com.

How to remember it

Attempt has "tempt" inside: when you attempt something you are tempted to see if you can do it.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "He _____ to climb the mountain in winter."

Answer: attempt

In your own words, what does "attempt" mean?